Fluid moving device



March 12, 1963 J. A. BOYD ETAL 3,080,824

FLUID MOVING DEVICE Filed Feb. 27, 1961 Jams A. Bad,

Clarence R. Posse/l,

INVENTORS. W/MNN 4 M MIN/641.

United States Patent 3,080,824 FLUID MOVING DEVICE James A. Boyd, 514Dianthus, Manhattan Beach, Cahfi, and Clarence R. Possell, 15020 DublinAve, Gardena,

Calif.

Filed Feb. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 91,864 8 Claims. (Cl. 103-117) contactwith the casing and where mechanically distorted so as to vary the vaneshape and cause a decrease in the volume of space betweenthe vanes andthereby raise the pressure of the working fluid. Such structures due tothisjincreased pressure had to be, strongly constructed of comparativelyheavy materials, and in general were ineflicient in operation as aresult of their inherent design.

In contrast to the prior art devices, as generally exemplified above,the device .of the present invention is arranged to impart energy to theworking fluid in a dynamic manner by utilizing flexible non-resilientvanes, and by making use of centrifugal force and differential pressuresin the fluid stream to vary the shape and position of the vanes in sucha manner that'it becomes unnecessary to have the vanes in engagedcontact with the casing.

The unique construction of a fluid moving device according to thepresent invention, as briefly described above, permits theaccomplishment of outstanding objects including the following:

One object is to provide an improved fluid moving de- 'vice in whichenergy is dynamically imparted to the working fluid, and morespecifically wherein shaft horsepower may jbe changed to kinetic energyin the moved fluid economically. V

, A further object'isto prbvide a fluid moving device of suchconstruction that the casing will operate at low pres- "sure and permitthe use of light weight material, in which a low weight rotor usingflexible non-resilient vanes may be utilized so as to produce anextremely light weight device as compared to conventional structures.

ice

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrativepurposes only:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a fluid moving deviceaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view through the same showing thecooperative relationship of the component parts, taken substantially online 2-2 of FIG. 1.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the fluid moving deviceof the present invention is shown as comprising an elongate casing oflight material, and which is closed at its ends. The casing is providedalong one side with a longitudinally extending elongate inlet opening11, and along another side in substantially right angled relation with alongitudinally extending elongate outlet opening 12.. v v

Placed within the casing is a cylindrical hub 13 which is carried by ashaft 14 rotatably supported in the casing in appropriate end bearingslS. As shown in FIG. '2, the shaft 14' is'offset so that the hub 13' isin general in eccentric relation'to the casing and'is positioned inrelatively close, proximity to one side ofthe casing, as indicated bythe numeral 16, so as to cooperatively form therewith a restrictedchamber 17 on one side of the hub, one end of this restricted chambercommunicating with the outlet opening 12 and the other end with theinlet opening 11. On the diametrically opposite side from the restrictedchamber portion 17, it will be observed that the chamber portion asindicated by the numeral 18 is substantially unrestricted, and that inthis portion of the chamber the casing wall is in substantiallyconcentric relation throughout its length with respect to the hubsurface.

The hub 13 carries a plurality of flexible vanes 19 of flexiblenon-resilient fabric of suitable material such as may be purchased underthe trade name Dacron.

The flexible vanes 19 are secured along one edge to the hub 13 in anysuitable manner, and are of such width that they may extend radiallyfrom the hub into the chamber portion 18 without contacting the casing.The flexible vanes as they are successively moved alternately throughthe restricted chamber portion 17 and the chamber portion 18 will changetheir shape, and while moving A further object is to provide a dynamicfluid moving device wherein'extremely low losses prevail with the resultthat extremely high eificiencies will be obtained.

Another object is to provide a device of the character described hereinin which the total pressure of entering fluid will be increased at theoutlet, but wherein the static pressures will be approximately the same.That is to say that the device will increase the velocity of theenftering fluid, and discharge it at a high velocity having high kineticenergy.

Still another object is to provide a flap arrangement at the outlet tocontrol the momentum increase imparted to the working fluid,- the powerrequired to drive the device at any particular speed, and the directionof discharge of the fluid at the outlet.

The above enumerated objects provide a fluid moving device which isadmirably adapted for utilization in loca- -tions where the weightfactor becomes a material consideration. For example the device isextremely well adapted for use'in aircraft, and particularly in thosetypes of aircraft designed for vertical take-off or landing.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the followingpart of the specification, wherein detailed description is for thepurpose. of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitationsthereon.

primarily through the chamber portion 18 will transfer kinetic energy tothe fluid therein.

Considering the forces which are utilized to control the vanes, it willbe seen that, for example, as a vane enters the inlet opening 11 as itemerges from the restricted chamber portion 17, the vane will be freedso that it may move as shown at position a under the action ofcentrifugal force into a radially extending position. During thismovement it will draw in air at the inlet and carry it through thechamber portion 18. When the vane reaches the position indicated at b,the outermost edge of the vane begins to leave and move away from theeasing, and as it moves further toward a position 0, the dynamic backpressure at the outlet 12 concomitant to acceleration of the fluidstream sets up differential pressures which act on the vane and cause itto fold back and assume a substantially tangential position as it movesinto the restricted chamber portion 17. The chamber portion 17 istapered from the end which communicates with the outlet 12 towards theend thereof which communicates with the inlet 11 so as to accommodatethe substantially tangential position of the vane therein without thevane having to make physical contact with the casing. Since the vanesare at no time in contact with the casing, operational losses arematerially reduced.

At the outlet opening 12, the device is provided with one or more flaps,in this case a pair of separately mounted flaps .20 and 21 being shown,which may be moved into the dotted line positions so as to control themomentum increase imparted to the working fluid, the power required todrive the device at any particular speed, and control the direction ofdischarge of the outgoing fluid. Adjacent the flaps, the casing outletis terminated to provide elongated slots or openings shown at 22 and 23.These openings provide passages for induced fluid flow into thedischarge from the device for thrust augmentation and mass flow control.

It is contemplated that the fluid moving device of the present inventionwill be operated at higher speeds than conventional types of devices,and that such speeds may be on the order of 3,000 to 7,000 rpm. Inoperation, the inlet fluid would have a total pressure which issubstantially atmospheric, while at the outlet the static pressure willbe substantially that of the atmosphere, while the total pressure due tothe kinetic energy imparted to the fluid will be raised to the order of25 to 500 pounds per square foot.

Various modifications may suggest themselves to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of our invention, and hence, we do notwish to be restricted to the specific form shown or uses mentioned,except to the extent indicated in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a fluid moving device, a rotatably mounted hub member; a pluralityof non-resilient flexible vanes carried by said hub; a casingsurrounding said hub forming a generally eccentric chamber with respectto the axis of rotation of said hub, said casing and hub coacting toprovide a constricted chamber portion on one side of the hub havingcommunication at the first end thereof in the direction of hub rotationwith a fluid outlet and at the other end thereof with a fluid inlet,whereby vanes leaving the constricted chamber portion may assume asubstantially radial direction under the action of centrifugal forceupon entering the inlet, said vanes being dimensioned with respect tosaid casing such that when in said radial position said vanes are spacedfrom said casing at the distal ends thereof, and a bent position underthe action of fluid pressures adjacent the outlet before entering theconstricted portion, said vanes being held by fluid pressure away fromsaid casing when in said bent position, whereby said vanes clear saidcasing during all rotational positions thereof.

2. in a fluid moving device, a rotatably mounted hub member; a pluralityof nonresilient flexible vanes carried by said hub; a casing surroundingsaid hub forming a generally eccentric chamber with respect to the axisof rotation of said hub, said casing and hub coacting to provide aconstricted chamber portion on one side of the hub having communicationat the first end thereof in the direction of hub rotation with a fluidoutlet and at the other end thereof with a fluid inlet, whereby vanesleaving the constricted chamber portion may assume a substantiallyradial direction under the action of centrifugal force upon entering theinlet, said vanes being dimensioned with respect to said casing suchthat the distal edges of said vanes clear said casing when said vanesare in said radial direction, and a bent position under the action offluid pressures adjacent the outlet before entering the constrictedportion, said vanes being held by fluid pressure away from said casingwhen said vanes are in said bent position, whereby said vanes clear saidcasing during all rotational positions thereof; and adjustable flaps atsaid outlet for forming a variable restriction in and controlling :thefluid discharge therefrom.

3. In a fluid moving device, a rotatably mounted hub member; a pluralityof nonresilient flexible vanes of fabric material carried by said hub; acasing surrounding said hub forming a generally eccentric chamber withrespect to the axis of rotation of said hub, said casing and hubcoacting to provide a constricted chamber portion on one side of the hubhaving communication at the first end thereof in the direction of hubrotation with a fluid outlet and at the other end thereof with a fluidinlet, whereby vanes leaving the constricted chamber portion may assumoa substantially radial direction under the action of centrifugal forceupon entering the inlet, said vanes being dimensioned with respect tosaid casing such that said vanes at the distal edges thereof clear saidcasing when said vanes are in said substantially radial direction, and asubstantially tangential bent position under the action of fluidpressures adjacent the outlet before entering the constricted portion,said vanes being held by said fluid pressure away from said casing insaid constricted chamber portion when in said bent position, wierebysaid vanes clear said casing during all rotational positions thereof.

4. In a fluid moving device, a rotatably mounted hub member; a pluralityof flexible vanes of non-resilient material carried by said hub, saidvanes having free unrestrained outer edges; a casing surrounding saidhub forming an offset chamber with respect to the axis of rotation ofsaid hub, said casing and hub coacting to provide a constricted chamberportion on one side of the hub having communication at the first endthereof in the direction of hub rotation with a fluid outlet and at theother end thereof with a fluid inlet, whereby vanes leaving theconstricted chamber portion may assume a substantially radial directionunder the action of centrifugal force upon entering the inlet, saidvanes being dimensioned with respect to said casing such that the distaledges of said vanes clear said casing when said vanes are in saidsubstantially radial direction, and a substantially tangential bentposition under the action of fluid pressures adjacent the outlet beforeentering the constricted portion, said vanes being held away from saidcasing when in said constricted portion by said fluid pressures, wherebysaid vanes clear said casing during all rotational positions thereof.

5. A device for moving a fluid and nonresilient imparting kinetic energythereto, comprising: an elongate tubular casing having a longitudinallyextending inlet opening and a longitudinally extending outlet opening; acylindrical hub extending lengthwise within said casing and supportedfor rotation therein, with a portion of its periphery positioned inrelatively close proximity to an adjacent portion of the casing lyingbetween said outlet and inlet openings, and cooperating therewith toform a restricted chamber port-ion in. the casing at one side of saidhub; and nonresilient flexible vanes carried by said hub movable underthe action of centrifugal force to a substantially radial position afterleaving said restricted chamber portion, and being movable under theaction of pressures at said outlet opening to a bent position uponentering said restricted chamber portion, said vanes being dimensionedto clear said casing when in said substantially radial position, andcaused by fluid back pressure to clear said casing during all otherrotational positions during operation of said device.

6. A device for moving a fluid and imparting kinetic energy thereto,comprising: an elongate tubular casing having a longitudinally extendinginlet opening and a longitudinally extending outlet opening; acylindrical hub extending lengthwise within said casing and supportedfor rotation therein, with a portion of its periphery positioned inrelatively close proximity to an adjacent portion of the casing lyingbetween said outlet and inlet openings, and cooperating therewith toform a restricted chamber portion in the casing at one side of said hub;and nonresilient flexible vanes carried by said hub movable under theaction of centrifugal force to a substantially radial position afterleaving said restricted chamber portion, and being bent under the actionof differential pressures in said fluid created upon rotation of saidvanes, which raises the pressure at said outlet opening to asubstantially tangential position upon entering said restricted chamberportion, said vanes being free from contact with said casing at alltimes during rotation of said hub upon operation thereof.

7. A device for moving a fluid and imparting kinetic energy thereto,comprising: an elongate tubular casing having a longitudinally extendinginlet opening and a longitudinally extending outlet opening insubstantially 90 degree relation with respect to the longitudinal axisof said casing; a cylindrical hub extending lengthwise within saidcasing and supported for rotation therein, with a portion of itsperiphery positioned in relatively close proximity to an adjacentportion of the casing lying between said outlet and inlet openings, andcooperating therewith to form a restricted chamber portion in the easingat one side of said hub; andfiex-ible vanes carried by said hub movableunder the action of centrifugal force to a substantially radial positionafter leaving said restricted chamber portion, said vanes beingdimensioned to clear said casing when in said radial position and beingbent rotationally rearward under the action of dilferentia'l pressuresin said fluid to a substantially tangential posi tion upon entering saidrestricted chamber portion, said vanes being held away firom the wall ofsaid casing by fluid pressure in said restricted chamber portion,whereby said vanes clear said casing during all rotational positionsthereof.

8. A device for moving a fluid and imparting kinetic energy thereto,comprising: an elongate tubular casing having a longitudinally extendinginlet opening and a longitudinally extending outlet opening; acylindrical hub extending lengthwise within said casing and supportedfor rotation therein with its axis substantially parallel to saidopenings, with a portion of its periphery positioned in relatively closeproximity to an adjacent portion of the casing lying between saidoutletand inlet openings, and cooperating therewith to form a restrictedchamber portion in the casing on one side of said hub and anunrestricted chamber portion on the opposite side of said hub; and aplurality of spaced flexible vanes of non-resilient material carried bysaid hub With the connection of each vane to said hub beingsubstantially parallel to the axis of said hub, said vanes. beingsuccessively movable alternately through said chambers, and

acting 'in the unrestricted chamber portion to impart the velocity ofthe hub rotation to the moved fluid therein, said vanes being moved bycentrifugal force to a substantially radial position when in saidunrestricted chamber portion and being dimensioned to clear the wall ofsaid unrestricted ch-amber portion when in said substantially radialposition, said vanes being bent rearwardly by fluid pressure when insaid restricted chamber portion so as to clear the Wall of saidrestricted chamber portion, whereby said vanes clear said casing duringall rotational positions of said vanes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re23,015 Yingling July 6, 1948 346,471 Falcon et al. Aug. 3, 188-61,053,321 Schrock Feb. 18, 1913 1,086,488 Wachter Feb. 10, 19141,116,851 Schneible Nov. 10*, 1914 1,402,719 Bartlett et al. Jan. 3,1922 1,616,992 Ruckstuhl Feb. 8, 1927 1,904,056 Kjaer Apr. 18, 19332,258,961 Saathott' Oct. 14, 1941 2,332,411 Swanson et al. Oct. 19, 19432,465,887 Larsh Mar. 29, 1949 2,634,805 Bills et al. Apr. 14, 19532,664,050 Abresch Dec. 29, 1953 2,669,188 McIntyre Feb. 16, 19542,905,091 Lippisch Sept. 22, 1959 2,911,920 Thompson Nov. 10, 1959FOREIGN PATENTS 275,132 Germany June 9, 1914 531,206 Great Britain Dec.31, 1940 OTHER REFERENCES German application KL. 59c 2, 1,002,630, Feb.14, 1957.

1. IN A FLUID MOVING DEVICE, A ROTATABLY MOUNTED HUB MEMBER; A PLURALITYOF NON-RESILIENT FLEXIBLE VANES CARRIED BY SAID HUB; A CASINGSURROUNDING SAID HUB FORMING A GENERALLY ECCENTRIC CHAMBER WITH RESPECTTO THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID HUB, SAID CASING AND HUB COACTING TOPROVIDE A CONSTRICTED CHAMBER PORTION ON ONE SIDE OF THE HUB HAVINGCOMMUNICATION AT THE FIRST END THEREOF IN THE DIRECTION OF HUB ROTATIONWITH A FLUID OUTLET AND AT THE OTHER END THEREOF WITH A FLUID INLET,WHEREBY VANES LEAVING THE CONSTRICTED CHAMBER PORTION MAY ASSUME ASUBSTANTIALLY RADIAL DIRECTION UNDER THE ACTION OF CENTRIFUGAL FORCEUPON ENTERING THE INLET, SAID VANES BEING DIMENSIONED WITH RESPECT TOSAID CASING SUCH THAT WHEN IN SAID RADIAL POSITION SAID VANES ARE SPACEDFROM SAID CASING AT THE DISTAL ENDS THEREOF, AND A BENT POSITION UNDERTHE ACTION OF FLUID PRESSURES ADJACENT THE OUTLET BEFORE ENTERING THECONSTRICTED PORTION, SAID VANES BEING HELD BY FLUID PRESSURE AWAY FROMSAID CASING WHEN IN SAID BENT POSITION, WHEREBY SAID VANES CLEAR SAIDCASING DURING ALL ROTATIONAL POSITIONS THEREOF.